Open to Join Plot Thread Flight of the Fallen

At this point in time Aspenberry knew what she should, and shouldn't do. It stopped her for the most part, but sometimes those urges became too tempting, and she would let herself out into the thick snow on her own. Dangerous, yes, but she wasn't going to let herself completely rot away. Being mentally healthy for her kits was just as important as being physically healthy. It was like an... un-offical border patrol of sorts. She trailed along the edges of her territory, tail sweeping through the snow. She camouflaged better than she expected, her black spots akin to sticks poking through the snow. She was safe out here, she knew it.

That was until that acrid scent hit, filling her with imminent dread and fear. It was fresh too, near. Too close. Her head pounded as she pelted towards the scent, only to see a cinnamon pelt near what she recognised as the remains of Doveflight and Pinestep. She didn't know who this cat was, she couldn't really see properly. She pounced, teeth bared in a snarl as her jaws snapped shut near the cats throat. She had her ears pinned back, face not showing a single hint of recognition. A wild beast savaged by grief. 

Then she heard the weakened breath. Pinestep was still alive. 'Nonononono! Pinestep! Pinestep can you hear me? Pinestep, it's me, Aspenberry, your old denmate.' Aspenberry's voice was a wail at first, but now it was quiet, barely more than a whisper. Pinestep step didn't move, her gaze stuck straight ahead as her chest struggled to even take a single breath. Blood still flowed from the wound in her throat, pooling around her head. She could hear the way her breathing was broken, her very last efforts to live. Her dark green eyes looked up for a moment, focusing on Aspenberry for a brief moment. Aspenberry knew she wasn't going to make it, she wouldn't give anyone false hope, but instead give her old friend a gentle send off. 

The spotted molly struggled to keep her breathing in control, the panic trying to escape through the cracks of Aspenberry's fragile grip on stability. 'Close you eyes, Pinestep. Listen to my voice, and nothing more. Don't think, just breathe gently, and I'll be by your side.' Aspenberry lowered herself down into the snow, making it easier for Pinestep to hold her gaze momentarily. Lying down next to the molly stained her fur with Pinestep's blood, but Aspenberry didn't care, nothing mattered in this moment other than her. Pinestep eyes went out of focus, and it was clear she was unable to even close them at this moment. She was at peace though, as her life slipped away.

Aspenberry's breath hitched, but she reached out a paw to gently close the eyes of Pinestep's cooling body. She squeeze her eyes shut, unable to comprehend even a single thought.

Then she remembered who was behind her, and a low growl erupted from her as she slowly turned around to face her foe. Her eyes were ablaze, until the recognition hit.

'Kosmo...?'

'I can do what I want.' She spat, though she lacked hostility. She had no reason to get mad at Kosmo, for he was only concerned for her safety. Hers, and his kits. 'This is my home, I have every right to be out here. You on the other paw, should not be here. Go before someone catches you over here and thinks this was you.' Her tone was cold. She was too upset over Pinestep and Doveflight to be happy about seeing Kosmo. He shouldn't be here anyway, he knew where the borders were, and why they were there yet he still ignored them. Her rational thinking was gone, stopping her from thinking perhaps he was only over on this side because he smelt blood in the first place. 

She turned her attention back to the two she-cats, their bodies already sinking into the crimson snow. She took another shaky breath before curling her tail protectively around her stomach. She wanted to find this cat, and she was going to kill this cat. 'I've never seen someone die before. I've seen friends and family dead, I've heard of stories of cats dying but not once has someone died under my gaze. I don't think anything could feel worse than watching a friend die between your paws.' Aspenberry wasn't sure if she was speaking to Kosmo, the bodies or perhaps even StarClan, but she spoke. A way to comfort herself and a way to try reign in her emotions. Leaning down she tried to clean some of the blood from Doveflight's face. There was no point in doing so, but she wanted her friends to look like they were just sleeping peacefully, rather than having been brutally murdered. 'We can't- how am I supposed to bury them in this snow? The ground is frozen solid...'